Sportblog + Australian Open 2012 | The Guardianhttp://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog+australian-open-2012
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Novak Djokovic has raised the bar – will rivals react or fade away? | Kevin Mitchellhttp://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2012/jan/29/novak-djokovic-rafael-nadal-australian-open
Serb's Australian Open triumph lays down the gauntlet again to Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer and Andy Murray to respond<p>The growing perception that Novak Djokovic is in the vanguard of a new era in men's tennis was strengthened in a final of almost unbearable drama but there is one old soldier not prepared to put his rifle away just yet.</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2012/jan/29/novak-djokovic-rafael-nadal-australian-open">Continue reading...</a>Australian Open 2012Rafael NadalNovak DjokovicAndy MurrayAustralian OpenTennisSportAustralia sportSun, 29 Jan 2012 21:02:00 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2012/jan/29/novak-djokovic-rafael-nadal-australian-openTorsten Blackwood/AFP/Getty ImagesNovak Djokovic showed extraordinary power and determination to win a fifth major title. Photograph: Torsten Blackwood/AFP/Getty ImagesKevin Mitchell at Melbourne Park2012-01-29T21:02:00ZAustralian Open 2012 diary: online spite for Andy Murray despite heroics | Kevin Mitchellhttp://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2012/jan/28/australian-open-diary-andy-murray
Everyone is entitled to their own opinion, but those who say Andy Murray choked against Novak Djokovic are being unfair<p>Even allowing for the idiocy that occasionally infects the blogosphere, the spite showered on <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2012/jan/27/novak-djokovic-andy-murray-australian-open" title="">Andy Murray for losing a five-set semi-final</a> at a grand slam to the best player in the world was as uninformed as it was predictable as it was pathetic.</p><p>Whose opinion carries more weight: Novak Djokovic, who played in the match and said after four hours and 50 minutes of mutual hell on court with Murray: &quot;Andy deserved the credit to come back after 2-5 down [in the fifth set],&quot; or @hidingbehindstupidname who said: &quot;skottish w**ker got no borllz choker lol!! #anyonebutmurray&quot;?</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2012/jan/28/australian-open-diary-andy-murray">Continue reading...</a>Australian Open 2012Andy MurrayAustralian OpenTennisSportAustralia sportSat, 28 Jan 2012 13:08:29 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2012/jan/28/australian-open-diary-andy-murrayGreg Wood/AFP/Getty ImagesAndy Murray came back from 5-2 down in the final set against Novak Djokovic before being edged out 7-5. Photograph: Greg Wood/AFP/Getty ImagesGreg Wood/AFP/Getty ImagesAndy Murray and Novak Djokovic. Photograph: Greg Wood/AFP/Getty ImagesKevin Mitchell at Melbourne Park2012-01-28T13:08:29ZMaria Sharapova approaches Victoria Azarenka with ballerina's poise| Kevin Mitchellhttp://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2012/jan/26/maria-sharapova-victoria-azarenka-australian-open
Lithe, loose, yet premeditated, Maria Sharapova has what it takes to prevail in what is set to be the loudest women's final in the history of the Australian Open<p>Even a glance at Maria Sharapova moving across the tennis court suggests the Russian might have been a prima ballerina, lithe and loose yet programmed, with a volatile temperament constantly held in check by the need to minimise errors, to give the illusion of perfection.</p><p>Her every gesture on court appears premeditated: the rhythm of the ball bounces when serving, followed by that extraordinarily high ball toss, the finger-swipe to keep stray wisps of hair in place, and those dainty steps away from the baseline when about to receive, her back to her opponent as she plucks at her racket strings, bends her right knee as if launching a dance step then swivels to rejoin battle – at her moment of choosing.</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2012/jan/26/maria-sharapova-victoria-azarenka-australian-open">Continue reading...</a>Maria SharapovaAustralian Open 2012Australian OpenTennisSportAustralia sportThu, 26 Jan 2012 11:44:38 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2012/jan/26/maria-sharapova-victoria-azarenka-australian-openGuardianSoundwave clips of Victoria Azarenka, left, and Maria Sharapova, right, showing the decibel levels of their respective shrieks during matches. Sharapova's reaches 105 decibels and Azarenka's 95, but the Belarusian's has a longer duration with the average grunt lasting 1.5 seconds. Image: GuardianNicolas Asfouri/AFP/Getty ImagesMaria Sharapova of Russia plays a stroke during her semi-final victory over Petra Kvitova of the Czech Republic. Photograph: Nicolas Asfouri/AFP/Getty ImagesNicolas Asfouri/AFP/Getty ImagesMaria Sharapova of Russia plays a stroke during her semi-final victory over Petra Kvitova of the Czech Republic. Photograph: Nicolas Asfouri/AFP/Getty ImagesKevin Mitchell in Melbourne2012-01-26T11:44:38ZAustralian Open 2012 diary: a reminder of a simpler, bygone era | Kevin Mitchellhttp://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2012/jan/25/australian-open-diary-rod-laver
Rod Laver's presence at Melbourne Park on day 10 showed that humility – not today's serial brattishness – embroiders greatness<p>To many tennis fans, Rod Laver is just a name. To those who saw him play, he is much more than that.</p><p>He is more than his remarkable record, but dwell on it for a moment: the only player to win the calendar grand slam twice – as an amateur in 1962 and professional in 1969 – among 11 majors in all; he won 200 titles in his career, more than anyone else in the history of tennis; after he turned pro, he was world No1 from 1964 to 1970, the owner of a sport for an entire decade.</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2012/jan/25/australian-open-diary-rod-laver">Continue reading...</a>Australian Open 2012Australian OpenTennisSportAustralia sportWed, 25 Jan 2012 10:22:20 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2012/jan/25/australian-open-diary-rod-laverMartin Philbey/EPARod Laver was at Melbourne Park on Wednesday to celebrate the 50th anniversary of his first calendar grand slam. Photograph: Martin Philbey/EPAMartin Philbey/EPARod Laver. Photograph: Martin Philbey/EPAKevin Mitchell at Melbourne Park2012-01-25T10:22:20ZAustralian Open diary: dethroned No1 Caroline Wozniacki goes down fighting | Kevin Mitchellhttp://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2012/jan/24/australian-open-caroline-wozniacki-clijsters
There was no doubting <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2012/jan/24/australian-open-2012-clijsters-wozniacki" title="">Wozniacki's spirit against Kim Clijsters</a>, but her game lacks enough power to frighten the very best<p>Caroline Wozniacki famously brings the energy of the boxing ring to her tennis, and she <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2012/jan/24/australian-open-2012-clijsters-wozniacki" title="">went down fighting against Kim Clijsters</a> on Tuesday.</p><p>It was hard not to feel sorry for the loser, whose world No1 ranking, never that convincing, will be taken by one of the semi-finalists here – but elite sport is no place for pity.</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2012/jan/24/australian-open-caroline-wozniacki-clijsters">Continue reading...</a>Australian Open 2012Kim ClijstersAustralian OpenTennisSportAustralia sportCaroline WozniackiTue, 24 Jan 2012 09:41:39 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2012/jan/24/australian-open-caroline-wozniacki-clijstersJason O'Brien/Action ImagesCaroline Wozniacki took her Australian Open quarter-final to a second-set tie-break but lost 6-3, 7-6 to Kim Clijsters. Photograph: Jason O'Brien/Action ImagesJason O'Brien/Action ImagesCaroline Wozniacki. Photograph: Jason O'Brien/Action ImagesKevin Mitchell at Melbourne Park2012-01-24T09:41:39ZAustralian Open 2012 diary: Serena Williams's dark day in the sun | Kevin Mitchellhttp://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2012/jan/23/australian-open-2012-serena-williams
There must be a worry about the 30-year-old's commitment to the game after <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2012/jan/23/australian-open-2012-serena-williams-out" title="">such a disastrous showing in her last-16 exit</a><p>Serena Williams could not get out of Melbourne Park quickly enough after <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2012/jan/23/australian-open-2012-serena-williams-out" title="">losing 6-2, 6-3 in a mere hour and 22 minutes</a> to the world No56 Ekaterina Makarova in the fourth round of the Australian Open.</p><p>Makarova, a tall left-handed Muscovite with not a lot of previous in eight years on the circuit (she lost in the first round to Li Na in Sydney earlier this month, and has only two singles titles to her name), is the lowest-ranked player Williams has ever lost to in Melbourne. Nor has she ever won fewer games in losing a match in the tournament, five.</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2012/jan/23/australian-open-2012-serena-williams">Continue reading...</a>Australian Open 2012Serena WilliamsAustralian OpenTennisSportAustralia sportMon, 23 Jan 2012 09:32:12 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2012/jan/23/australian-open-2012-serena-williamsNicolas Asfouri/AFP/Getty ImagesSerena Williams looks to the skies during her fourth-round defeat at the Australian Open. Photograph: Nicolas Asfouri/AFP/Getty ImagesNicolas Asfouri/AFP/Getty ImagesSerena Williams. Photograph: Nicolas Asfouri/AFP/Getty ImagesKevin Mitchell at Melbourne Park2012-01-23T09:32:12ZAustralian Open: Roger Federer holds no fear for unique Bernard Tomichttp://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2012/jan/21/australian-open-bernard-tomic-roger-federer
With the same approach to tennis that David Gower brought to his cricket, Tomic has become a bona fide superstar<p>There is no other athlete in sport quite like Bernard Tomic. It is impossible to tell from his demeanour, for instance, that the Queensland phenomenon is preparing for a fourth-round match in the Australian Open against Roger Federer, an event the <em>Sydney Morning Herald</em> calls &quot;the most anticipated clash between an Australian teenager and legend of the game at Melbourne Park since Mark Philippoussis rocked Rod Laver Arena in 1996&quot;. <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xWiXJRZpNnE" title="">Philippoussis shook up the game by beating the untouchable Pete Sampras</a> in the third round of the Australian Open that year and went on to have a fine career.</p><p>The year before that win, at 19, he became the youngest player to break into the year-end top 50. Tomic is 19, the youngest player left in the men's singles, and ranked No38 in the world. And it's January.</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2012/jan/21/australian-open-bernard-tomic-roger-federer">Continue reading...</a>Australian Open 2012Australian OpenTennisSportAustralia sportBernard TomicSat, 21 Jan 2012 18:00:02 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2012/jan/21/australian-open-bernard-tomic-roger-federerClive Brunskill/Getty ImagesBernard Tomic gave Rafael Nadal a fright during last year's Australian Open. Photograph: Clive Brunskill/Getty ImagesClive Brunskill/Getty ImagesBernard Tomic gave Rafael Nadal a fright during last year's Australian Open. Photograph: Clive Brunskill/Getty ImagesKevin Mitchell2012-01-21T18:00:02ZAustralian Open 2012 diary: Craving the word of her Serena majestyhttp://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2012/jan/21/australian-open-2012-diary-serena
'She is, like, the tennis god' – and communing in the locker room with the deity seems to be a rare thing<p>The mysteries of the locker room are manifold. Who gets the best locker? Who talks to who? Well, Serena Williams is held in awe by nearly all her peers, especially the Americans, but they do not all deign to approach the grand dame of tennis.</p><p>&quot;How awesome is she?&quot; asks 18-year-old Sloane Stephens. &quot;She is like our God. She is, like, the tennis god.&quot; Like, praise indeed. <a href="http://www.usatoday.com/sports/tennis/story/2012-01-20/us-tennis-mentoring-serena-williams-venus-williams-andy-roddick-1-21/52703180/1">Others have a different take.</a></p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2012/jan/21/australian-open-2012-diary-serena">Continue reading...</a>Australian Open 2012Australian OpenSportAustralia sportSat, 21 Jan 2012 03:55:00 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2012/jan/21/australian-open-2012-diary-serenaTim Wimborne/REUTERSSerena Williams doesn't often give an audience with younger players, it seems. Photograph: Tim Wimborne/ReutersTim Wimborne/REUTERSSerena Williams can afford to sit down and still win at a cvanter at the Australian Open. Photograph: Tim Wimborne/REUTERSKevin Mitchell2012-01-21T03:55:00ZAustralian Open 2012 diary: women still choking on too many bagels | Kevin Mitchellhttp://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2012/jan/19/australian-open-2012
Easy wins for Maria Sharapova and Serena Williams show there is little middle ground at Melbourne Park<p>The women's game is either more competitive than it's ever been or utter rubbish. If there is a middle ground in the debate it is not immediately obvious on the evidence of this week.</p><p>When Maria Sharapova beat Jamie Hampton in 64 minutes on the morning of the fourth day of the Australian Open, she recorded the 20th 6-0 bagel and 32nd 6-1 set score in the women's singles. Of the 82 completed matches to that point, 61 results came in straight sets.</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2012/jan/19/australian-open-2012">Continue reading...</a>Australian Open 2012Australian OpenTennisSportAustralia sportThu, 19 Jan 2012 12:14:34 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2012/jan/19/australian-open-2012Tim Wimborne/REUTERSSerena Williams can afford to sit down and still win at a canter at the Australian Open. Photograph: Tim Wimborne/ReutersTim Wimborne/REUTERSSerena Williams can afford to sit down and still win at a cvanter at the Australian Open. Photograph: Tim Wimborne/REUTERSKevin Mitchell in Melbourne2012-01-19T12:14:34ZAustralian Open 2012 diary: Fleming and Hutchins double act rolls on | Kevin Mitchellhttp://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2012/jan/18/australian-open-diary-fleming-hutchins
Colin Fleming and Ross Hutchins's lofty ambitions, Caroline Wozniacki's lost bag and a history lesson from Ken Rosewall<p>Colin Fleming had plenty to smile about after going through with Ross Hutchins in the doubles on Wednesday against the American Ryans, Harrison and Sweeting.</p><p>After their 7-5, 7-6 (7-2) win out on Court 10, the Scot observed: &quot;I'm sure Ryan Harrison isn't that keen on Scottish tennis players right now. It's funny the way it has worked out what with his match with Andy yesterday. I'm sure he must be sick of the sight of us.&quot;</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2012/jan/18/australian-open-diary-fleming-hutchins">Continue reading...</a>Australian Open 2012Australian OpenTennisSportAustralia sportWed, 18 Jan 2012 11:07:38 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2012/jan/18/australian-open-diary-fleming-hutchinsScott Barbour/Getty ImagesColin Fleming and Ross Hutchins talk tactics. And possibly weddings. Photograph: Scott Barbour/Getty ImagesScott Barbour/Getty ImagesColin Fleming and Ross Hutchins. Photograph: Scott Barbour/Getty ImagesKevin Mitchell2012-01-18T11:07:38ZAustralian Open 2012 diary: Money talks in the locker room | Kevin Mitchellhttp://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2012/jan/17/australian-open-2012-money-federer-nadal
Pay and scheduling are major issues at the Australian Open and Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal are embroiled in the dispute<p>Tennis won't let the Roger-Rafa feud go, despite the best efforts of the embarrassed combatants. ESPN reran the narrative at length on Tuesday, the day after Federer and Nadal did their impersonation of Downing Street spin doctors in trying to kill what is a genuine row over pay and scheduling.</p><p>&quot;Some of the issues have been around a long time,&quot; the American broadcasters's commentator Mary Joe Fern&aacute;ndez, a former tour pro, said. &quot;The better players want some more time, others want job opportunities. They care. They have different perceptions. Roger is silent with the media, he's not silent in the meetings.&quot;</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2012/jan/17/australian-open-2012-money-federer-nadal">Continue reading...</a>Australian Open 2012Roger FedererRafael NadalAustralian OpenTennisSportAustralia sportTue, 17 Jan 2012 13:06:17 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2012/jan/17/australian-open-2012-money-federer-nadalMatt Slocum/APRafael Nadal, seeded two at the Australian Open, is among those concerned at the demands of tennis's punishing schedule. Photograph: Matt Slocum/APMatt Slocum/APThe likes of Rafael Nadal are concerned at the demands of tennis's punishing schedule. Photograph: Matt Slocum/APKevin Mitchell at Melbourne Park2012-01-17T13:06:17ZAustralian Open 2012 diary: LTA must look ahead after Miserable Mondayhttp://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2012/jan/16/australian-open-2012
Five Brits eliminated with 20 games between them, the power base shifts east, and what's with Laura Robson's hairband?<p>The last time there were six British players in a grand slam tournament away from Wimbledon – on the hard courts of Flinders Park, here in 1992 – the euphoria was as short-lived as it was on the first day of the 2012 edition at Melbourne Park.</p><p>We have not come far, in truth.</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2012/jan/16/australian-open-2012">Continue reading...</a>Australian Open 2012Australian OpenLaura RobsonHeather WatsonAnne KeothavongElena BaltachaJames WardTennisSportAustralia sportMon, 16 Jan 2012 12:43:36 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2012/jan/16/australian-open-2012Greg Wood/AFP/Getty ImagesLaura Robson wore a rainbow-coloured hairband in support of equal rights during her Australian Open loss to Jelena Jankovic. Photograph: Greg Wood/AFP/Getty ImagesGreg Wood/AFP/Getty ImagesLaura Robson. Photograph: Greg Wood/AFP/Getty ImagesKevin Mitchell at Melbourne Park2012-01-16T12:43:36ZRafael Nadal aims criticism at Roger Federer over lack of supporthttp://www.theguardian.com/sport/2012/jan/15/rafael-nadal-criticism-roger-federer
• Spaniard claims Federer leaves others to complain to ITF<br />• Swiss should use influence more, Nadal says in Melbourne<p>Roger Federer was expected to make his first meaningful statement at this Australian Open off the sweet centre of his racket in the first round against Alexander Kudryavtsev, under lights in front of his adoring public in Rod Laver Arena. His back injury has calmed and there are many good judges who reckon he can win his first grand slam title since here two years ago.</p><p>However, such is the mounting tension in his now open conflict with the one man to have consistently challenged his supremacy in the game over the past decade, Rafael Nadal, that a crafted rebuttal in front of a microphone could be Federer's first significant impact on the tournament.</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/sport/2012/jan/15/rafael-nadal-criticism-roger-federer">Continue reading...</a>Australian Open 2012Rafael NadalRoger FedererAustralian OpenTennisSportAustralia sportMon, 16 Jan 2012 01:56:00 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/sport/2012/jan/15/rafael-nadal-criticism-roger-federerShuji Kajiyama/APRafael Nadal during a press conference in Melbourne before the Australian Open. Photograph: Shuji Kajiyama/APShuji Kajiyama/APRafael Nadal during a press conference in Melbourne before the Australian Open. Photograph: Shuji Kajiyama/APKevin Mitchell in Melbourne2012-01-16T01:56:00Z'Red Rafa' Nadal will not lead by striking example at Australian Openhttp://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2012/jan/15/rafa-nadal-striking-australian-open
The Spaniard retreated into broken English when it was put to him that players were 'contemplating' strike action<p>&quot;Red Rafa&quot; Nadal, the rebel leader of Flushing Meadows, retreated into broken English when it was put to him that players were again &quot;contemplating&quot; strike action.</p><p>For the second time in a few months there is ferment on the tennis circuit.</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2012/jan/15/rafa-nadal-striking-australian-open">Continue reading...</a>Australian Open 2012Rafael NadalAustralian OpenTennisSportAustralia sportSun, 15 Jan 2012 12:20:50 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2012/jan/15/rafa-nadal-striking-australian-openToby Melville/ReutersRafael Nadal of Spain attends a news conference before the Australian Open in Melbourne. Photograph: Toby Melville/ReutersToby Melville/ReutersRafael Nadal of Spain attends a news conference before the Australian Open in Melbourne. Photograph: Toby Melville/ReutersKevin Mitchell at Melbourne Park2012-01-15T12:20:50ZIvan Lendl seeks peace as new recruit Andy Murray mans up for fight | Kevin Mitchellhttp://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2012/jan/14/andy-murray-ivan-lendl-australian-open-tennis
Briton issues a measured battle cry in Melbourne as his coach aims to ease the pressure ahead of fresh assault on grand slam<p>In the hours left before the first grand slam tournament of the year, Andy Murray was comfortable enough with his game and his attitude to utter something that sounded unusually like a battle cry: &quot;You win like a man, you lose like a man.&quot;</p><p>It was a muted declaration of war, perhaps, but an honest one – one that reflects his tennis philosophy, his outlook on life and his continuing search for composure under pressure as he strives again for his first win in a major after three disappointments in finals. He is not dampening expectations, just taking a measured view of the battlefield around him, where there are far more lions than donkeys.</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2012/jan/14/andy-murray-ivan-lendl-australian-open-tennis">Continue reading...</a>Andy MurrayAustralian Open 2012Ivan LendlAustralian OpenTennisSportAustralia sportSat, 14 Jan 2012 22:59:03 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2012/jan/14/andy-murray-ivan-lendl-australian-open-tennisSarah Ivey/APBritain's Andy Murray, left, and his coach Ivan Lendl chat during a practise session in Melbourne. Photograph: Sarah Ivey/APSarah Ivey/APBritain's Andy Murray, left, and his coach Ivan Lendl chat during a practise session in Melbourne. Photograph: Sarah Ivey/APKevin Mitchell in Melbourne2012-01-14T22:59:03ZAustralian Open 2012 diary | Kevin Mitchellhttp://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2012/jan/14/australian-open-2012-diary
Speculating over the men's draw seems almost pointless considering the domination of the Big Four in recent years<p>One of the curiosities of tennis is the draw. Even apparently sensible observers subscribe to the view that it is either &quot;tough&quot; or &quot;easy&quot; when in fact it is irrelevant – at least to those players whose ambition goes beyond getting into the second week of a major.</p><p>If Andy Murray is to win the Australian Open, he almost certainly has to get past the world No1 Novak Djokovic on his side of the draw, then – again in all probability – beat either Rafael Nadal or Roger Federer in the final.</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2012/jan/14/australian-open-2012-diary">Continue reading...</a>Australian Open 2012Australian OpenTennisSportAustralia sportSat, 14 Jan 2012 14:44:15 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2012/jan/14/australian-open-2012-diaryPaul Crock/AFP/Getty ImagesIt is difficult to see anyone outside the Big Four, headed by world No1 Novak Djokovic, reaching the Australian Open semi-finals. Photograph: Paul Crock/AFP/Getty ImagesPaul Crock/AFP/Getty ImagesNovak Djokovic. Photograph: Paul Crock/AFP/Getty ImagesKevin Mitchell in Melbourne2012-01-14T14:44:15ZAustralian Open 2012: injuries take toll as roadshow heads to Melbourne | Kevin Mitchellhttp://www.theguardian.com/sport/2012/jan/12/australian-open-2012-murray-clijsters
It is no mystery that the world's leading tennis players are the most familiar faces in the casualty ward<p>The temptation to sneer at tennis players who complain about their creaking bodies in the course of hitting a fluffy yellow ball over a net is considerable when such seeming physical sacrifices are set against the workplace health risks of, say, boxing, rugby, extracting coal from the ground, or policing riots.</p><p>Given only the first three of the above beats to cover, your correspondent is sometimes at a loss to sympathise with the finely tuned millionaires of the ATP and WTA circuits. The puzzlement is rarely more heightened than just before the first grand slam tournament of the season when, in January's southern hemisphere warm glow, at least half a dozen elite players of both sexes are struggling to muster the combined menace of a suet pudding.</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/sport/2012/jan/12/australian-open-2012-murray-clijsters">Continue reading...</a>Australian Open 2012Kim ClijstersAndy MurrayNovak DjokovicRafael NadalRoger FedererAustralian OpenTennisSportAustralia sportThu, 12 Jan 2012 11:49:43 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/sport/2012/jan/12/australian-open-2012-murray-clijstersDave Hunt/EPAKim Clijsters's hip problem is worked on by a physiotherapist prior to her retiring from the semi-final against Daniela Hantuchova at the Brisbane International. Photograph: Dave Hunt/EPADave Hunt/EPAKim Clijsters is worked on by a physiotherapist prior to retiring due to a hip injury from her semi-final against Daniela Hantuchova at the Brisbane International. Photograph: Dave Hunt/EPAKevin Mitchell in Melbourne2012-01-12T11:49:43Z